Giving Thanks

The staff of Bremen Public Library took some time to reflect on what they appreciate most about working at the library. Each staff member shared his or her thoughts below. 

What are you grateful for today?

Kyle Burkett

I am thankful that when I go to work, I’m going to a hub for all of the world’s aggregated knowledge. I am surrounded by incredible works of art and literature and music, and information about millions of different subjects is, quite literally, at my fingertips.  I am thankful that I get to work for an organization whose mission I am passionate about, and that I get to work with other people who are dedicated to that mission as well.  Most of all, I am thankful that the work we do at the library has a real, tangible effect on people’s lives—and that we can see, firsthand, how they are better for the work that we do. 

Lisa Bixel

Timeless Classics
Helpful Coworkers
Artistic Webpages
Never Ending Books
Kind Words
Faithful Patrons
Unique Staff
Laughter

Chris Scandling

Although a native Hoosier, I’d been living in Las Vegas for several years when dreaded news arrived via a simple phone call. My mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and a planned brief visit to Indiana turned in to an indefinite stay. It was during this time that a permanent return to my native home was contemplated, and Bremen Public Library played a considerable role in making that happen. An offering of this job not only meant being closer for family purposes, it brought me, career wise, back in to the library fold.

A previous earlier stop on my career path, it’s been like putting on a pair of comfortable slippers. I’d thoroughly enjoyed the work before, and absolutely adore it now. This is largely in part to such an amazing community to be a part of. From patrons who I’ve become so invested with, staff that brings wisdom, laughs and a sharing of occupational passion, and the joy in contributing to all our library represents in this area. I am thankful that my mom is doing so much better these days. I am thankful to you, Bremen, for embracing me as one of your own.

Brenda Anderson

I feel blessed to work in such a great community. Bremen is not where I grew up and I did not have any ties here when I started work at the Bremen Public Library eighteen years ago. The friendly hometown atmosphere has been a great place to meet people. I’ve crossed paths with some wonderful people here who inspire me to be a better person. I’ve seen such kindness when tragedy has struck in the community and people have stepped up to try to lessen the burden of someone else or just let them know they are not alone or forgotten. I’m thankful for all of you.

Violet Gunter

I am thankful for all the kids, who come through and use our imagination station. I love listening to them have fun and be silly. Some of my top favorite things that I have heard are, a "customer" who wanted an apple pie without apples, a little girl who could not take her pet shark on the plane with her, because it would make the plane smelly, and a boy who was playing house with some girls and then proceeded to claim that he was a millionaire and that he could do whatever he wanted and that they have to listen to him. Thank you to all the children, who have unknowingly made me smile and even laugh out loud. 

Cindy Hartman

I am thankful for the parents and children who take part in our weekly Preschool Story Hour and weekly Wiggle Worms Family Story Times. I think that I sometimes get as much enjoyment out of the sessions as the children do! It brings a smile to my face when a child really gets into a song we are singing or playing for an activity and they put their whole body into it. When a little one is wiggling with excitement waiting for their turn to get a shaker egg, it is a blessing that we get to provide these children with this opportunity in our community. When a child really enjoys a book that we are reading and asks to take it home with them, it is a blessing for my soul. When the preschoolers call out for another puppet show, this, too, is something that I am thankful for. Each week I get to do something that I love doing and am thankful I get to make a difference in a child's life here at Bremen Public Library.

Holly Heller

I am thankful how our library serves as a community hub for people from so many different backgrounds. We have people learning to play the Chinese tile game, Mahjong. We have homeschool students who use the library as their classroom. We have people working on their resumes at our public computers. We have people using our copy and fax service for a variety personal and business reasons. We have college students seeking a quiet place to study and plug in their laptops. We have families in crisis who use our space for scheduled visitations. We have school-age kids playing chess, checkers, LEGOs, and the Wii. We have parents of infants, toddlers and preschoolers who value early literacy and introduce their children to the library at young ages. We have people researching their family genealogy. We have artists in bloom who learn to paint at our monthly Create-UR-Canvas event. We have movie buffs who stay up to date on the latest DVDs from our collection. And, of course, last but not least, we have our avid readers who visit the library regularly to restock their supply of reading material. I am thankful for each and every patron, and for being able to work in a place that meets each of their needs in a comfortable, safe, friendly and accepting environment.

Melissa Nunez

Working at the library has been such a season of joy. The three things in my life that I'm passionate about are my faith, my grandchildren and my books and I cannot remember a time in my life that I did not have a love of reading. But the joy I find within the walls of our library has very little to do with the written word. I am thankful, grateful and blessed in the relationships I’ve formed with the people of this community. It has been such a blessing to pause for a chat about the weather; to see the excitement  in a patron’s eyes when a favorite author is placed in their hands; to give a smile and receive one in return; to offer an ear when someone clearly needs to talk. I’m am grateful for our community.

Terrie Bickel

I have been at BPL now for almost 19 years. I have met many wonderful people, both in the community, and on the job. I am grateful for each and every one of them, as they have made my world a happier place. I have gotten to read 1000 Books Before Kindergarten to each of my children, act in numerous Tea Parties, hang my art work, play Monopoly, and even play football! How could I not be grateful for this place?